The Chairman of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. (Pst.) Joseph Otirhue, has reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and continuous training of staff of the Unified Local Government Service.
Hon. Otirhue gave the assurance during the opening ceremony of the Pre-Retirement Seminars organised by the Commission in collaboration with Meviz Integrated Ventures, Meritlink Consulting and Fabock Ventures, held at Oputa Hall, Ozoro, and Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State.
While flagging off the seminars, the Commission Chairman explained that the initiative underscored the Commission’s dedication to the well-being of serving and retired officers. According to him, capacity-building programmes remain a priority in order to equip officers with the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage their careers, finances and overall well-being.
He noted that the seminars formed part of ongoing efforts to prepare officers for a smooth and successful transition from active service to retirement. Describing retirement as an inevitable stage in the career of every public servant, Otirhue stressed that it should be a period of fulfilment and reward for years of service rather than one of anxiety and uncertainty. He added that early planning and adequate preparation were key to achieving a stress-free retirement.
Commending participants for their dedication to duty, the Chairman remarked that retirement presents an opportunity for retirees to explore new areas of life that were previously unavailable during active service. He emphasised the need for deliberate planning, noting that “he who fails to plan, plans to fail.”
Otirhue further stated that the seminar was designed for officers who desire a stable and productive life after retirement, adding that the knowledge gained would assist participants in making informed decisions on savings, investments, health management and personal development.
Expressing satisfaction with the calibre of resource persons engaged for the workshop, he urged participants to pay close attention to the facilitators, noting that many retirees encounter challenges due to inadequate preparation. He assured that early planning would open up better opportunities and guarantee peace of mind in retirement.
The Commission Chairman affirmed that the ultimate objective of the exercise was to produce public servants who retire with dignity and do not become liabilities to themselves, their families or society. He added that the Commission had invested substantial resources in the training, in line with its mandate to train and retrain staff, and encouraged participants to remain focused on acquiring the needed knowledge for the future.
The seminar, tagged “Retirement Planning and Management for Officers in Delta South Senatorial District” of the Delta State Unified Local Government Service, attracted a large turnout of participants. Resource persons delivered lectures on topics including Health and Wellness Management, Payment Options in the Contributory Pension Scheme, and Understanding Death Benefits Management under the Contributory Pension Scheme, among others.
